A Blogger in a Vlogger’s World February 2, 2010

It has been exactly 24 hours since I put up my first video on Youtube, and I’m having mixed feelings about the whole thing. I’ve wanted to start my own channel for a while now, so why don’t I feel really great about this new beginning?

 

It’s most likely because I’ve gotten so comfortable with the cozy feel of blogging that I didn’t really think about how making videos is nothing like sitting down and typing my feelings out. There’s more than just a letter difference between blogging and vlogging. It’s a bigger world; I’m a very small fish in this new ocean.

 

I’m curious to see where this new adventure takes me though, so I hope you’ll want to tag along and maybe decide to start your own channel. Or at least offer me some feedback with mine ( :

Patience January 29, 2010

Let’s face it, very few people can honestly say they’re patient. I for one become antsy at the very thought of having to wait. It doesn’t really matter what I have to be patient for, I just can’t seem to wait. Over the years I’ve started to realize how patience, or even sitting still for that matter, is quite the art form.

My inability to be patient has become a lot more apparent over this past week as I continue to wait for my Flip Video Camera to arrive. Day after day I get anxious around the time when the mail usually comes, even though the package is being delivered by UPS.

Yet it hasn’t gotten here yet. Which isn’t that big of a deal, but all this time waiting has allowed my mind to come up with crazy reasons as to why my camera hasn’t gotten here yet.

I realize this is incredibly ridiculous, but my level of patience is really that low. Patience is a character trait I truly envy. Do you have any tips to help me become more patient and to stop thinking that aliens wanted my Flip Video Camera?

Clothing Talks: Blacks & Greys January 27, 2010

Although I’m busy with the task of studying for Finals, I just couldn’t stand not posting at the very least an outfit created on ShopStyle. Once things settle down I’ll return to the more time-consuming Clothing Talks posts because basically I just like them more.

I’ve been messing with color themes in my outfits lately instead of just throwing things together, so here’s an outfit with blacks and greys:

 

 

 

I’ve always been a big fan of the checkered patterns so the coat and bag in this outfit really give it something extra. I would kill for those shoes.

 

Have an outfit request? Leave a comment!

My Battle Between Loving Animals and Loving Cheeseburgers January 23, 2010

I know this is a weird thing to post about since it’s a lot different from my usual post style, but there has been some sort of animal in our garage for the past few months and last night my dad took the initiative and bought live traps to catch whatever is living in the garage loft.

 

This has me thinking…I’ve toyed with the idea of becoming a vegetarian for the past few years now, and I even tried it for a bit to see how it fit me, but a few problems soon emerged that have got me stumped. I love animals and have on numerous occasions rescued stranded baby moles and rabbits from a painful death at the teeth of my dogs, but I love cheeseburgers.

 

I know that’s kind of close-minded and you’re thinking I could just eat vegetarian burgers and be just fine, but there are still more factors that are keeping me from making the leap to a no meat lifestyle. I despise lettuce. I can’t stand eating salad. I believe it’s nearly impossible to be a vegetarian and not like lettuce or salad.

 

So through this battle I’ve come to a conclusion I’m pretty ok with. I’ll continue to enjoy my hamburgers, but whatever chance I get, I’ll rescue the critters from my backyard and try to avoid decreasing the cat population with my car.

 

 

 

Making Videos January 17, 2010

I for one really love watching YouTube videos. Although my obsession has definitely picked up in the last month, I’ve always found YouTube a really good way to waste time I may not have. Recently I’ve started to mull over the thought of starting to do my own videos to tie into this blog. So I’ve been looking into video cameras and programs to use to make the videos and I’ve come to a big conclusion. Making videos, even if they’re just for YouTube, is a serious art form. So much effort goes into the editing process alone, and that’s on top of the time spent recording and thinking of what to say. With this new ambition to get my toes wet in the video world, I have a whole new respect for YouTubers and anyone who makes videos. This respect has started me in a new path…

 

 

I just ordered a Flip Video Camera last night and am anxiously waiting its arrival so I can get started making my videos.

The boyfriend’s helping me out with finding a good program to use to edit my videos.

 

 

Now all I need is some ideas about what I should make my videos about. That’s where I could really use your help, seeing as I’m completely void of any ideas. All I do is sit around trying to come up with topics.

 

 

I’m looking just about everywhere for inspiration, and I’ve watched a lot of YouTube videos in an attempt to find a type of style to morph mine around, but I could really use some assistance. I’m thinking I’d like to make it like a continuation of this blog and talk about the same things I would on here, but in video form.

 

 

What do you think? Leave a comment telling me what type of videos you’d like me to make. I really appreciate the help ( :

Clothing Talks: Casual Pink & Black January 13, 2010

ShopStyle has made in fifty times easier for me to quickly throw together a really cute look, but I still love my old style more. With my schedule how it is though, this method’s going to be what I turn to until January’s over ( :

 

This outfit is great for all types of weather, but I tweaked it to be a good winter outfit. I find it very important not to lose style when trying to find warmth, but it really is quite a hard balance to achieve. The cute pink blouse makes this outfit have a dressy feel, while the jeans help take everything back to a more relaxed look. My favorite piece of this outfit is obviously the bag. I have a thing for selective color!

 

Have a Clothing Talks request? Leave a comment!

General Thoughts: 1/12/10 January 12, 2010

Since school is getting to the time right before semester finals, things are getting crazy for me. I kind of love it though; being busy and trying to get everything done on time. I love the planning and organization it takes. So needless to say (yet I’m saying it anyway?!) Under the Microscope is taking the most neglect of my all my leisure activities.

Now that I’ve admitted to myself that this is indeed the case, I feel like it’ll be on my mind more often than it has been. That’s definitely a good thing ( :

So for all of you who flatter me day after day with taking the time to view my blog, I won’t let you down. There will be more lists (because you know how much I love lists if you’ve seen any of my previous posts) to come, but it’ll probably just be these General Thoughts posts for a bit until January is over.

I want to make sure I’m posting things you want to read, so be sure to leave comments with the types of things you’d like me to talk about and I’ll be sure to comply ( :

Happy Blogging!

A Film Addict’s Top Ten Favorite Movies January 7, 2010

Movies are a huge part of my life, almost to the point where I’ve begun to believe that my life is in fact a movie itself (just read Life’s Soundtrack and you’ll get a better understanding of what I’m talking about). So needless to say my movie collection is quite a large one. I’ve watched probably thousands of movies in my lifetime, so picking a Top Ten was a daunting task. I’m going to count them down because that seems a lot more interesting than just starting off with the #1. I’m also really big on the whole “building suspense” thing ( :

10. He’s Just Not That Into You (2008)

 The way this movie brings all these seemingly different people together is amazing. Based on the novel by the same name, this movie is about love, but it approaches the topic in a whole new way. It’s also packed with stars, and the fact that Justin Long (the Mac guy) is in it just makes it oh so much better.

 

9. The Mummy (1999)

 I remember when this movie came out eleven years ago. I was only seven at the time, but this movie became my obsession. I would watch it over and over again, but would have to cover my eyes whenever the beetles started to crawl under peoples’ skin. The sequel of The Mummy is decent enough, but the third film that came out recently really let me down.

 

8. (500) Days of Summer (2009)

 I watched this movie for the first time a few days ago, and it immediately jumped to #8 on this list. The concept blows me away and although the ending isn’t the traditional love story ending, I was still completely satisfied by the lovely irony the conclusion had. The film’s out-of-order setup kept me engaged with the task of putting the events in chronological order, but it didn’t seem tedious. The soundtrack to this film is positively fantastic.

 

7. Avatar (2009)

 This is another movie I’ve recently viewed, but like (500) Days of Summer, Avatar earned its place on my Top Ten list. Half-way through this movie I suddenly realized that the film was created in such a way to cause me to hate the human characters. The planet of Pandora is something that you should really see. 

 

6. A Knight’s Tale (2001)

 I realize this is an unusual movie to put on the list, but I’ve watched it so many times that it really does deserve a spot on this list. This is not going to become a classic, and I don’t think it’s won any awards, but I just really enjoy this movie.

 

5. Across the Universe (2007)

 When this movie came out three years ago I was really hesitant to see it. I went with a couple of friends to the theater and was skeptical until the opening beach scene, and from that point on, I was hooked. The thought behind this movie is so extensive that I can’t even begin to fathom the amount of work that went into this film.

 

4. The Truman Show (1998)

 I’m really quite fond of Jim Carrey (I could do without the Ace Ventura movies though), but this movie is by far his best. Everything about it makes it so different from other movies. I don’t want to ruin the plot for anyone who hasn’t seen it though, so I’m going to keep quiet. Watch it, trust me.

 

3. Fight Club (1999)

 Another movie that just blows my mind every time I watch it. It’s different from my usual movie tastes, but it’s so interesting and raw that I could easily watch it again and again. You should too.

 

2. The Breakfast Club (1985)

 I know just about every line to this movie. I’ve probably watched it over twenty times. No more justification needed to explain why this film is on the list.

 

1. Say Anything (1989)

 It was difficult to pick a number one seeing as I love the Top Five movies about the same about, but Say Anything is my idea of the perfect romance. Yeah, I enjoy watching A Walk to Remember and The Notebook, but I’m able to relate to this movie a lot easier. John Cusack is amazing in this movie; you can’t help but to fall instantly in love with him. The fact that it was filmed in what I find the best decade for movies makes it that much better.

 

Leave a comment telling me your favorite movies or your thoughts/opinions on these films!

Clothing Talks: ShopStyle Casual January 5, 2010

I’ve seen some of these ShopStyle outfits on a few different blogs, but I never really looked into what ShopStyle was all about until last night. It’s kind of amazing. When I’m just too busy to do the original Clothing Talks posts, ShopStyle will make the process a lot quicker. I still plan on doing my old version of the Clothing Talks posts with stores and prices, but I think I’m going to mix them up with some ShopStyle outfits too, just to keep things interesting. 

 

Winter can have a draining affect on outfits since style is usually ditched for warmth, so I took this draining affect idea and used usually bland colors to make an outfit that takes winter color’s dulling power and uses it as a strength. The greys and black work together to give this look a wintery feel, without being boring and still having style.

 

 

Do you use ShopStyle? Leave a comment with your username so I’ll be able to go see the looks you’ve created. My username on ShopStyle is kjcornell (original I know) : )

Current Curiosities: 1/4/10 January 4, 2010

With today being Under the Microscope’s two month anniversary I thought it appropriately ironic to celebrate it by talking about things other than the blog itself. Over the past few months I’ve become (at least to me anyway) more hooked to the internet. As a result of this, I’ve been introduced to a few new things that I have yet to try, but am quite curious to do so. Curiosity is a natural part of a person’s development, and these are the things that are currently sparking my interest.

 

MY CURRENT CURIOSITIES:

 

1. LUSH Fresh Handmade Cosmetics

I just recently watched juicystar07’s Lush Haul and was immediately intrigued by this company. They sell a variety of products for baths (which I love to take more of if only I had the time), showers, skin care, etc. All their products are handmade from ingredients that aren’t tested on animals (always a huge plus in my book). I’m very curious to try some of their products.

 

2. e.l.f. cosmetics

I’ve been hearing about this brand of makeup more and more from different beauty experts on YouTube, so I went to their website and was stunned. Their prices are amazingly affordable and from the reviews I’ve heard, their products are really high quality for such a good price. I’m really excited to use the coupon code LOYAL to get a free gift with my first order!

 

3. YouTube

Everyone knows about YouTube these days. I’ve watched my fair share of videos to say the least, but recently I’ve been mulling over the idea of doing videos myself. I’m not sure what I’d even talk about, but I’m curious to give it a try. I don’t want to rush out and by a video camera though if I end up not keeping up with the videos though, so I’m going to wait a week or so and see if I still want to give it a try.

 

 

If you’ve purchased anything from e.l.f. or LUSH please leave a comment telling me what you think! If you or someone you know does YouTube videos, I’d love to get some advice ( :